This weekend in the NFL, several home teams are facing challenging battles to secure victories.
Two of the largest margins can be seen in the games where the Los Angeles Chargers are favored by six points over the Carolina Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers are giving six points to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Chargers, under the guidance of new coach Jim Harbaugh, have become one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL. With an overhauled lineup and the addition of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, previously with the Ravens, who led them to a record-setting rushing attack in 2019, the Chargers have gained momentum. The team also acquired two former Ravens running backs, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Last week, in a 22-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Dobbins showcased his skills with 135 rushing yards on 10 carries, scoring a touchdown. The Chargers will now aim to maintain their strong ground attack against the struggling Panthers who faced a lopsided 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints and allowed 180 yards rushing. This matchup strongly favors the Chargers, hinting at another potential one-sided victory for them.
The San Francisco 49ers, considered one of the strong contenders to win this season’s Super Bowl, demonstrated their competency in their 32-19 win against the New York Jets in the opening game. Quarterback Brock Purdy completed 19 of 21 passes for 231 yards, leading the team to victory. However, it was running back Jordan Mason who truly excelled, carrying the ball 28 times for an impressive 147 yards, including scoring a touchdown. These strong performances indicate that Mason will likely receive numerous opportunities against the Minnesota Vikings, who allowed 74 rushing yards on 21 carries in their 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in the previous week.
The Minnesota Vikings, led by new quarterback Sam Darnold, who recently signed a one-year deal, started their season with promise. However, they still face a formidable challenge in keeping up with the dominant 49ers.
In another game, the visiting New York Jets are favored by 3.5 points over the host Tennessee Titans. The Jets, despite a disappointing start in their season-opening loss to the 49ers, possess enough talent to surpass the Titans. Meanwhile, the Titans suffered a 24-17 loss against the Chicago Bears, with quarterback Will Levis struggling with just 127 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. These factors contribute to the Jets being favored in this matchup.
The Seattle Seahawks, favored by 3.5 points, face the New England Patriots, both teams coming off victories. Seattle secured a close 26-20 win against the Denver Broncos in new coach Mike Macdonald’s home debut. Running back Kenneth Walker III led the Seahawks with 103 rushing yards on 8 carries, while their defense played a vital role in securing the win. On the other hand, the Patriots already achieved an upset victory in coach Jerod Mayo’s debut, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow 16-10 in Week 1. As the Patriots return home, they have the potential for another upset victory against Seattle.
The Green Bay Packers suffered a setback in their 34-29 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, starting quarterback Jordan Love sustained a knee injury, making it highly unlikely for him to play in the upcoming game against the Indianapolis Colts. As a result, the Packers are considered 3-point underdogs. If Love is unable to play, Malik Willis is expected to start, having minimal experience with 35 completions on 67 attempts, resulting in 350 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions across 12 career games. The Colts, who fell short with a 29-27 loss against the Houston Texans, possess a strong offensive force led by quarterback Anthony Richardson and wide receiver Alex Pierce, who gained three receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in the previous game. The Colts’ favoritism comes from the challenging task Willis will face in keeping up with their offense if he starts.
Lastly, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 2.5-point favorites against the Denver Broncos in the upcoming game. While the Steelers’ offense was underwhelming in their 18-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, their defense proved to be dominant. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt played a critical role, recording two tackles for a loss, a sack, three quarterback hits, and recovering a fumble. The Steelers’ defense limited the Falcons to only 226 total yards. As a result, the Broncos will face significant difficulties in advancing the ball. Nonetheless, if the Broncos manage to score some points, they might secure a victory due to the Steelers’ offensive struggles.